A Trip to the Good Ole Doc
Azazel sits upon the exam table, wiggling her toes and making the chimes at her ankles jingle in a simple rhythm. Her eyes close as she sighs and lays back, wearing a gaudy hospital gown. She frowns as her side begins to feel numb with how she was laying and shifts over, a wave of nausea hitting her. Kitt sits with a holo-novel in her hands, rubbing her eyes as she sets it against the armrest for a moment and peeks over the corner of the curtained area to see if the medic was coming yet. “This is taking forever...”
Azazel arches a brow, “Of course... They've been having to see to those who made it out of the damaged ship areas with mere injuries.”
Kitt scrunches her nose, “Yeah, but you're the boss. Shouldn't they rush you through?”
“It's nothing life-threatening. Basic check-up. I can wait,” Azazel wrinkles her nose and raises her feet up, trying to tuck her knees against her chest and finding herself struggling given the size of her belly. She curiously pokes her own abdomen and smiles fondly as she feels a responding kick. “Why exactly are you here again? I could have brought Andrea, after all.”
The Echani, who had just picked up the tablet let's it drop, giving Azazel an unamused look. “Because it was what Xen requested. He hardly trusted that you would make it to your appointment, leave alone follow the instructions... He wants someone to listen and who will enforce them with you.”
Lydavis peeks around the corner, a nurse outfit donned as she beams. “How's the momma to be?”
Azazel arches a brow, directing at the costume.
Pausing for a moment, the Twi'Lek looks down upon herself and seems to be taking in the outfit for the first time. “This? Doc said it was mandatory for assistants.”
“Xen doesn't have to wear any costumes when he's in here...” Kitt pipes up.
Azazel snorts and shakes her head, “That too, but I was wondering more why you are here.”
“Oh, well, since you're apparently down for the count lately, I've taken to helping out with the little things. There are a few serious cases that I'm using that trick you showed me to help out. Some people are going to need new limbs. Others, we're not even sure if they're going to make it. That's where I come in. I've managed to jump-start a few back up and clear up some of the real touch-and-go cases,” Lydavis shrugs and looks over her costume. “It isn't bad, is it?”
Rei'Ki pops up behind her, grabbing her hips. With a purr, she leans in and answers before anyone else, “Not at all. See if you can keep it later.” Rei'Ki herself was wearing a clean suit intended for medical staff. A medical mask was lowered about her neck. Lydavis giggles and squirms at the comment and touch, trying to break free while in front of her master.
Azazel looks down at herself, just barely covered by her gown and quickly readjusts herself. “Okay, getting a bit crowded... Now why are you here?”
Rei'Ki shrugs, “Doc says he'll be a few minutes. He's cleaning up after another patient. Personally, I'm just giving a hand and doing go-for tasks. They're feeling awfully short-staffed.”
The Sith Lady furrows her brow, “Then why isn't Xen helping instead of you?”
“He's assessing damages to the ship. We're going to have to lay down somewhere for awhile to get the repairs done and the reactor installed, I guess. He also wants to take the Aberrancy and fit it with some of the salvage on top of other installments. He says the information recorded from your battle, it checks up with Ibeth's simulator runs. He has some improvements in mind that could do a world of good on the beasts. Speaking of... Ilo is already thrilled. He plans on taking the data and, from his ranting that I could take away, he plans on putting in some new training simulations,” Rei'Ki answers, her chin on Lydavis' shoulder and arms wrapped about her.
The Twi'Lek nods and places her arms alongside the Dathomiri woman's. “Yeah. He's going a bit crazy. Since he got this droid from... Some salesman, he's started reprogramming all the droids and installed training protocols. He also wants to find some specific file for the thing? I don't know, he's just been far too gung-ho.”
A shrill beeping noise begins to go off and Rei'Ki grimaces before tugging at Lydavis' shirt, “Come on. Just in case its not some grunt work.” Lydavis nods before giving a humble curtsy to Azazel and skittering off.
Kitt was leaning over the edge of the privacy screen, watching them go with a curious expression before resituating herself into her chair with a roll of her eyes. “I am not playing nurse,” she announces after a moment of quiet.
“Fair enough.... You could always see to working with the troops, though. Basic defensive skills would do some good, I imagine. Keep them in shape and make sure they might be able to defend themselves if they lose their weapons or they are caught off guard,” Azazel shrugs, tugging Kitt's holobook away with a draw on the force. The book slams into her hand and she winces, making an apologetic face as her hand goes to her belly. “I need to break myself of these habits...” She looks at the book, skimming over the title and a few passages. “How... interesting...”
Kitt flushes and gets up, going to retrieve her slate. “It's a romance story. Hush.”
Azazel chuckles and shakes her head, “Oh. Those things. So you mean smut by that, right?”
Kitt is ready to answer before a medic walks into the room. “So, what seems to be the problem?”
“Oh, no problems, just your average che--” Azazel begins before being interrupted.
“She's not sleeping well, and she's been having issues with her side going numb. Mood swings too,” Kitt answers, raising her chin challengingly.
Azazel purses her lips before nodding, “What she said...”
The doctor nods slowly, “Right, we'll see what we can do. Also, I managed to find you some information you need to follow in the meantime to ensure everything goes as well as possible...” He narrows his eyes, prodding at Azazel's belly. “We should also check your weight... You've been really putting it on.”
Tannus at Bpfassh
Tannus rubs his eyes as he finally lands the OS-80 outside of the Bpfassh darksider enclave. “Right, we're landed. Ready?”
The loremaster adjusts his robes and looks out the window nervously. “Are you sure they will not be hostile... Even I have heard of the events with the Mecrossa of late...”
Tannus shrugs, “If they are, I will handle them.” He looks back at the ship at the chosen ready to go. He smirks and makes a sharp whistle. The Chosen all raise their heads and look at him silently, faces masked over with reflective helmets. “Get ready. You're playing royal guard.”
The Chosen glance at each other without making a sound before raising up. The carefully check their weapons before slinging them over their shoulders and filing out in two even rows, awaiting Tannus and the Loremaster to exit before they set up a procession behind them.
The 'enclave' turned out to be one of the most sought after exclusive restaurants and at the entrance the maitre-de looked at them, somewhat intrigued and condenscending looking at the same time. "You have a... reservation?"
The Loremaster looks at Tannus, before clearing his throat. “Are you certain in your navigational capabilities?...”
Tannus looks at the maitre-de, sizing him up. “Either this is a terrible joke on the part of the Bpfasshi I have encountered... Or I must have had in the wrong coordinates...”
Tannus clears his throat before attempting, unsure if this was just asking for trouble, “A reservation for Sith.”
The maitre-de blinked, "Ah, my apologies I thought I knew all the vip regulars, please come in, straight through the corridor and take the gilded double-doors to your right, a server will be with you momentarily."
The Loremaster offers in a squeaky tone, “Well, I am quite famished?...”
Tannus simply grunts and grabs the Loremaster by the scruff of his shirt, leading him in and through the double-doors.
With Tannus leading the way, mostly dragging the loremaster along, four guards followed, as they walked through the corridor they saw large dining areas on either side where the rich and hungry were talking among themselves as well as enjoying luxurious food. Two bouncers stood at the gilded doors, apparently they had been given a heads up because both bowed and the doors opened, allowing the party of sith in.
Inside the most luxurious dining room of all was revealed to the group, even the loremaster would admit the contents of this room... modeled after a sith tomb interior, were rather posh and grand. The presence of people were fewer here but there were at least a average group of people, between 12-16 people dining. A server approached and bowed. "A table is ready for you, are you expecting someone? Or were you hoping to meet a certain member?"
The Loremaster perks up, taking in a deep breath to savor the scent of the food. He began to salivate as his stomach gurgles hungrily. Tannus shoots him a glare before surveying the room. The interior was impressive and certainly was giving him flashbacks of Korriban and the tombs he had been within. It was off not having to use lightsabres for light, casting long haunting shadows about the place, though.
The Sith straightens himself up, regarding the server as he shrugs a shoulder, “I wish to meet with the head of this establishment. Its a matter of business...” His eyes dart over to the Loremaster and he sighs, “If you would be so kind as to fetch us some of today's special, that would be appreciated as well.”
The server blinked, "I... you... who should I say there is?"
“A representative of one Tikyba,” Tannus says casually, remembering Azazel's sith name just barely.
"One moment please." He bowed and retreated, following where he went the group could see him go to one of the tables, leaning over to whisper something in the ear of a older looking gentleman, who at one point turned to look at Tannus.
A few more words were exchanged and then the gentleman dismissed the server who went straight back to Tannus and his party. "If you would follow me?" He turned and looked back, making sure they followed. As the yreached the table the dining guests of the gentleman the server spoke to finished saying their goodbyes and left without further word or glance at Tannus and his party.
The man, graying evident in his beard had aged well as he looked Tannus over as he stood up and extended a hand. "Rikyos Lantos, you wished to see me? Please let your party be seated, I understood you were famished and have instructed, thank you you may leave." The server bowed and quickly left while Rikyos continued, "As I was saying, I have instructed the kitchen to prepare some meals."
Tannus nods and takes a seat politely, gesturing for the others to sit. The Loremaster uneasily seats himself, nearly falling out of the chair. The Chosen appear to wait, staying standing but with a look from the Sith take their seats as well. Tannus leans forward, placing his elbows upon the table as he glances over the table at Rikyos. “I am Tannus Velle. I was with the previous party of Tikyba, Lady Azazel, on her meeting with your people in the past. I've two requests this day of your faction.”
He pauses, raising a single finger, “First, my friend here is on the verge of a breakthrough for my mistress and needs supplemental information on a particular field that he might continue in his research in a meaningful way that would assist my Mistress.” With that, he raises a second finger, “Secondly, I wish to peruse those specially talented. If they are deemed worthy, I would ask they be released to my authority, that they might continue to work on such skills in a suitable environment with tutors capable of giving them all the opportunities they could wish for to hone such skills.”
"Straight to the point I see, I can appreciate that." Rikyos said after a moment, lowering his raised eyebrows. Right at the time some servers arrive, setting down plates of food. "But I would need... elaboration on what you ask... and what exactly, we get in return?"
Tannus nods to the Loremaster, who clears his throat nervously, “I am unsure if its anything yet, but I hoped to have additional information on either sith or jedi and the force in general. It would prove very vital to my research so far...”
Tannus nods and settles back, stretching his arms behind his head, “Consider it a collective sharing of information. We have access to other darkside orders with their own bank of information, a collective of Sith and have been known to take excursions into places that this very room is modeled after. Share what you have with us, we will be happy to share what we are to find with you. Things I am sure you otherwise would have limited chances to acquire.” Tannus pauses, “As for a potential disciple... It is advancement opportunities. They would have exclusive access to what we pass down to our apprentices. As well, it would be a favor to myself and the Lady Azazel. With that, obviously we would owe a debt to you as well. A favor that may be called in at a later time if you so need.”
"I see..." He paused, "Well then, correct me if I am wrong, but." He raised one finger, "First, you wish to access and look into our collected knowledge." He raised a second finger. "Second, you wish to potentially take a force sensitive individual of our collective with you, which could harm our own operations to ensure the safety and security of our corner of this galaxy. That sounds liek quite a deal you are asking for, something that warrants more than just one favour, don't you agree?" Rikyos cut off a piece of the meat dish he had and took a nibble of it. "That you came here practically demanding for it without offering compensation is already a sign of some degree of arrogance, rather rude, wouldn't you say?"
“Hardly. We are Sith,” Tannus shrugs, “There is simplicity in this. Straight to the point and you have no false-giving of what I want. We made an agreement in the past that we would work together. This is my collecting upon the promise. You think one favor is unfair, but the scope of what may be done with that one favor is hardly anything to question. It is more than fair.” He closes his eyes, rolling his shoulders trying to get comfortable against the posh chair as the Loremaster digs into his meal. “If you want games of words, that is something to speak with another, my Mistress maybe. I am just a representative of her will. I act, not idle about needlessly like the nobles you are apparently growing far too accustomed to lounging about with in this establishment.”
"Nobles? Where do you think you are? Kuat? Or the Tapani Sector?" He let out a amused chuckle. "Most of the people out there are big busienss people, who surprisingly reveal a lot of confidental information about their business practices over dinner. Reminds me to give the chef a raise... anyway."
He leaned back and looked at Tannus. "Owing your mistress a favour suits us but we could use something else too. I will grant your request, both of them, in return for said favour in the future... and if you can have... certain intelligence gathering resources of your mistress to be loaned to us for a short period of time."
Tannus considers it, furrowing his brow, “I would agree to such, first upon knowing what the task you have for them and, that we know of the information retrieved by them for your order. No offense to the secrecy of your order and operations, but if we if they could be potentially risking their lives for this information, lives we must recruit for and inhibits us for a time to replace, then it is simply a matter of business. Of course, with our information gathering resources, the very head of it is Azazel's second in command. You would be drawing him away from very important tasks in order to assist in finding whatever it is you must need."
Tannus nods, furrowing his brow, “A fair request, you will have it.”
"Excellent... now you were looking for a... apprentice, does age matter, gender, what do you look for?"
Tannus steeples his fingers as he considers it, “Neither too old to prove useless, set in their ways or too young that their true potential has not manifested. Gender does not matter to me, nor does race. I simply desire that they have had true potential in the force known, rather than simply being sensitive to it.” In the back of his mind, he adds a grumbling, 'Unlike the last we picked up.'
"I will be right back, please sit and enjoy the meal." Rikyos stood up, bowed and left.
He was gone for quite a while and the loremaster was already halfway through the enormous bowl of icecream when he finally returned, a young female Bpfasshi following him with cast down eyes. "This is Aria Rethana, she is one of our strongest who have a connection to the force, she will serve you well."
She bowed and presented herself to Tannus. "I will look forward to whatever you deem prudent to instruct me, master.
Tannus furrows his brow, looking over the woman with apparent interest before nodding as he checks over her force presence. “I see... Aria, have you any capability with a lightsabre? Any particular skills in the force? Skills of stealth, diplomacy, command, piloting? Anything you feel is particularly worth noting, do share.”
She blinked, staring back at Rikyos who gestured to Tannus with a look that basically said, 'answer the question girl'. "I... I can move things with my mind? Push or pull things when I concentrate... I... my potential has only been recently unlocked, my training was supposed to soon commence but the grand master told me that a sith wanted to take me in as his apprentice and make me learn more than I ever could have imagined or capable off with what the cult here could teach me."
Tannus furrows his brow, “Then indeed you are my blank slate.” He sighs, rubbing over his brow. It was a step up from his last attempt, of course. And even the Echani proved useful in some way given time. This woman would surpass her greatly in potential, at least. “Very well, do come with me... Rikyos, I will make contact to the Kubaz as soon as possible to know of the arrangements... And do take good care of my friend here... Try not to let him grow too fat on your cuisine.”
Rikyos smiles, "I think he will be able to resist the food once he sees how much we charge for the food... or sees the poison collection we have." He turned to Aria and spoek a few words in their native tongue and then left, no doubt overseeing other matters of importance.
Tannus gives a quick gesture and the Chosen raise in unison, quickly readying themselves to leave. The sith however, runs his hand at an angle, signaling that half would need to stay. Following that, Tannus offers out his arm for the Bpfasshi woman to loop her arm through. “Come along. We will begin your schooling as quickly as I can manage. We need rejoin the Lady Azazel immediately, though. She will like to look you over, I'm sure.”
